Volunteers at the Ashburton Fire Museum are excited extensions to the museum’s display space are now complete.
They were done just in time for the 150th anniversary of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade, which owns the museum.
The museum hosted the first event of the celebratory weekend, which was the weekend before last.
Believed to be the largest heritage set-up of any single fire brigade in the southern hemisphere, it is a unique and much-appreciated venue. The museum is also believed to be unusual in that it is owned by a fire brigade.
The name of the group of volunteers is Grey Watch.
Member Ian Moore said the extensions allowed the vintage fire trucks inside to be reconfigured to better spacing.
‘‘With the extension, the Grey Watch team has been able to house 14 fire vehicles, and equipment dating from 1861 through to 2000. With that number there is no spare space for further vehicles,’’ Ian said.
Members had restored three vehicles since early 2021 and were ‘‘absolutely rapt’’ with that achievement.
‘‘Since completing the 1861 Merryweather 22-man horse-drawn hand pump in 2021, we have been working on The Curricle which is a 16-man horsedrawn hand pump,’’ Ian said. The pump was used by the Western Fire Brigade in the 1870s to 1880s.
‘‘In Peter McQuarters’ history search for the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade’s recent 150th anniversary, he became aware that there was a fire brigade at Allenton on the site of the current St David’s Church,’’ Ian said.
‘‘The brigade had a trailer pump and they acquired a secondhand Dodge car and spent five pounds to convert it into a truck to be able to pull the trailer pump,’’ Ian said.
Working countless hours, the team completed the Dodge truck and The Curricle in time for the 150th.
The restorations have taken a bit over two years. They have purchased some parts for both vehicle restorations. They also received some sponsorship, product and service support from Ashburton businesses and a grant for the Dodge restoration.
The museum extensions have been possible through sponsorship and the generous support of Pendarves firefighter Dennis Bird and Grey Watch team member Ian Moore and his wife Roselyn Moore.
‘‘The Grey Watch team is very proud to be able to present to the public such an array of fire fighting equipment used over the last 150 years in Ashburton, reputed to be one of the best fire engine museums in New Zealand,’’ Ian said.
Meanwhile, at the function, museum appointments were announced.
Brigade chief Alan Burgess had his role as museum director made official, while brigade operation support and Grey Watch volunteer Graeme Baker was appointed patron. The role had been vacant since the first patron Alan McQuarters died in 2020.
Graeme said he was surprised with the honour.
‘‘I didn’t expect it. They are big boots to fill, following in the footsteps of Alan,’’ Graeme said.
